Section 501. State laboratories; approved laboratories; powers and duties of commissioner

1. The commissioner shall have authority:
    (a)  to  make, at the expense of the state, examinations and analyses,
  at the request of any health officer or of any physician  in  accordance
  with the provisions of this article;
    (b) to enter into contracts with laboratories in localities accessible
  to  the  various  portions  of  the  state for the prompt examination of
  specimens received from local health officers or physicians and for  the
  immediate report thereon, at the expense of the state; provided that all
  such   laboratories   shall  conform  to  the  standards  of  efficiency
  established by the public health council, and that no  obligation  shall
  be  incurred  by  the  commissioner  in  excess  of  the  sums available
  therefor.